Aims & Scope
npj Ocean Sustainability is a fully open access, interdisciplinary journal that publishes high-quality research on the full range of topics, dimensions, and disciplines pertaining to ocean sustainability.
The journal takes a systemic, holistic view on ocean sustainability, covering topics from biodiversity conservation to biotechnology, blue growth, circular economy, climate change, climate mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem services, environmental economics, environmental health, green infrastructure, human dimensions, human well-being, international law, marine pollution, maritime activities, natural capital, ocean acidification, ocean economy, ocean energy, ocean literacy, ocean planning, ocean policy, social justice and equity, sustainable food production, among others.
The journal equally welcomes research from natural and social sciences, recognizing the fundamental role of understanding and integrating the human dimension into ocean research and management to effectively ensure long term sustainability. The journal also welcomes research from local to global levels, from all ocean basins, developed and developing coastal states, and particularly small island developing nations. As the ocean is one, sustainable solutions need to be integrative, recognize interlinkages, and allow decision-makers to perceive the “full picture” of what a sustainable ocean entails.
npj Ocean Sustainability is particularly interested in research addressing interlinks between policy and practice, systemic approaches, transformative solutions, and innovation to support ocean sustainability at multiple levels, under global environmental, social, and economic challenges. The journal therefore welcomes critical reviews, thought-provoking perspectives, and original research articles, both theoretical and case study-based, addressing a broad range of fields, their policy dimensions, and potential pathways and solutions to identified problems.
Research published in the journal deeply relates to the United Nations 2030 Agenda, particularly to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 ‘Life Below Water’ on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. Research pertaining to other SDGs, and how these interact and relate to SDG 14 is also of high interest to npj Ocean Sustainability.
Being an interdisciplinary journal, npj Ocean Sustainability will cover a wide range of disciplines, provided they each contribute to improve ocean sustainability. These include, but are not limited to the following ones:
- Anthropology
- Atmospheric Science
- Conservation Biology
- Development Studies
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Energy
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Science & Engineering
- Ethics
- Geography
- Humanities
- Oceanography
- Ocean Governance
- Planning
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Science, Technology and Society
- Sociology
- Water Science and Studies
A full list of content types, including article guidelines, can be found here.
